Implementation of GPS system in football training and load control (Part 1)

The use of GPS over the past few years in sports has become ever greater. It is one of the biggest and most significant changes in football training from the point of view of sports science. It contributes to the dosage of athlete training, easier and more precise planning and rehabilitation. Global Positioning System (GPS) devices are navigation technology based on satellite used in professional sports over the last few years since its introduction in 1997. This technology is currently being used to provide data to sports scientists, fitness trainers, analysts and trainers in real time and after the game. The values stored in the GPS system will show the following variables: speed (m/s), acceleration/deceleration (m/s2), direction change, distance (m).

Use of GPS system

Load Managment

Load management is one of the most important factors when it comes to reducing the risk of injuries in athletes. Research shows load changes of more than 15% from the week prior can increase the risk of injury by close to 50%. While it’s not possible to completely prevent injuries because injuries are often out of our control, knowing exactly how much and how hard athletes are training is one way to help keep them fit and healthy. There’s not one short way to prevent injuries other than load management. Injuries will occur, but we just hope that when all the right systems are in place, they reduce that risk.

Some reasons why it is important to track load in sports:

-?????????????? Optimize training and prevent overtraining:?coaches can ensure that athletes are training at the right intensity and volume to maximize performance and minimize the risk of overtraining.

-?????????????? Identifying potential injuries:?it helps coaches to identify changes in an athlete’s load pattern that may indicate an increased risk of injury.

-?????????????? Monitor recovery: it can also be used to track an athlete’s recovery after training or competition to ensure that they are adequately rested and ready to perform at their best.

There are two types of loads to be aware of: internal and external loads. In the context of load monitoring in sports, internal load refers to the physical demands placed on an athlete’s body during training and competition, while external load refers to the work performed by the athlete and external factors that influence an athlete’s training and performance.

Internal load can be measured using a variety of methods, including subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE scale), heart rate, lactate concentration, and biochemical markers. Internal load may be influenced by factors such as intensity, duration, and frequency of training sessions, as well as the specific physical demands of the sport. The most used method to track external loads is the use of global positioning system (GPS) technology. GPS in team sports permits measurement of player position, velocity, and movement patterns. GPS provides scope for better understanding of specific and positional physiological demands of team sports and can be used to design training programs that adequately prepare athletes for competition with the aim of optimizing on-field performance.